NBA Draft

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Superlatives and Quick Hitters

The 2023 Portsmouth Invitational was a critical showcase event in the NBA Draft process for 64 of the nation's top seniors. What prospects emerged and raised their stock?

Jam Hines

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Superlatives and Quick Hitters
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Superlatives and Quick Hitters /
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Dating back to 1954, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) has been a signature post season event filled with a rich history.

Sixty four of the nation’s top college seniors are invited to participate in a tournament in front of NBA and overseas decision makers, scouts, evaluators, agents and fans in Portsmouth, VA. Historically, the top players have received NBA combine invites and will now be receiving NBA G League Elite Camp invites with the opportunity to earn combine selections.

After another phenomenal trip to the 757 to take in the event and enjoying some of the country’s best seafood, here are my PIT superlatives and quick hitters.

*All of the players mentioned should be considered for two-way and/or Exhibition 10 deals

Most Likely to be Drafted: Toumani Camara

Dayton I 6-foot-7.75 I 7’0 wingspan

Camara’s mix of skills, tools and production simply overwhelmed defenses and impressed evaluators throughout the PIT, scoring 20 points per game and grabbing 11 rebounds per game.

The skilled, big wing attacked advantages against slower matchups with his handle and fluid movement skills while utilizing his strength and size against smaller matchups, to create for himself and find teammates as a creative passer and underrated playmaker. His off-ball work shined, too, with floor runs, cuts and ball screen roll finishes with pop and ambidextrous touch.

On the defensive end, Camara continued to flash defensive versatility and reliability. He defended well in space, gave effort and was active both on and off the ball (2.6 stocks).

The only real blemish from the PIT being a perfect showing for Camara was his 3-point shooting, the key swing skill for him. Camara did knock down multiple threes and largely took them with confidence, but only connected on 3-of-18 attempts. He’s increased his percentage and volume each year at Dayton, culminating in a career-high 36% mark on 80 attempts. If Camara can ease shooting concerns or at least continue to fuel the belief in his 3-point trajectory during workouts, he should hear his name called on draft day.

Top 3-and-D Prospect: D’Moi Hodge

Missouri I 6-foot-3.75 I 6-foot-5.5 wingspan

Hodge entered Portsmouth as the top 3-and-D prospect in the tournament and his performance did nothing to diminish that notion.

In fact, his lights out 3-point shooting (14-of-28), was an in your face reminder that his 40% 3-point clip on 7.1 attempts with Missouri this past season could be more of the shooter that he truly is as opposed to his 32% clip at Cleveland State (318 attempts).

Defensively, he was his usual self: active and disruptive with his length and quick hands, competitive throughout and battled through screens (2.3 stocks).

If Hodge had true wing size and more developed ball skills, or perhaps was younger than 25 years old, he would easily be drafted. Regardless, he’s a potential plug and play end of rotation player.

Biggest Small School Riser: Tevian Jones

Southern Utah I 6-foot-6.75 I 6-foot-10 wingspan

The Illinois transfer Jones averaged 18.7 points per game and had the tournament’s best single game performance, pouring in 36 points on 11-of-13 from the field, 7-of-8 from three and draining all 7 of his free throws. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his outbreak was the fact it was a bounce-back game from a 5 point outing in what could be the most important tournament of his career.

Although his shot selection still needs improvement, Jones is no doubt a capable shot creator, shooter (36% 3-point shooter) and tough shot maker with NBA physical tools. Growing in the role player aspects of the game while learning to consistently impact the defensive end with his length will ultimately decide his NBA future.

Most NBA Ready Shooter: Hunter Tyson

Clemson I 6-foot-7.5 I 6-foot-10 wingspan

Tyson torched the nets in game one of the PIT, knocking down 5-of-7 from deep en route to 21 points.

He flashed his range, confidence and shotmaking versatility including catch-and-shoot, movement and contested makes. Unfortunately, Tyson PIT’s run ended in the second quarter of his second game after tweaking his ankle on a made three through contact (1-of-5 from three at that point).

NBA teams always value size and shooting, a combination that Tyson immediately brings to a team alongside toughness and feel. He’s a career 36% 3-point shooter (462 attempts) that shot 40% from deep on a career high 6 attempts per game this past season.

Best Developmental Project: Craig Porter Jr.

Wichita State I 6-foot-2 I 6-foot-4 wingspan

Although he’s a smaller guard, Porter popped because of his dynamic and functional athleticism, active defense (4.6 stocks) and ability to play on and off the ball.

He didn't light it up as a scorer (9 points per game) like most small guards are expected to do at the PIT, but nearly everything that I saw in person matched with the player I saw on film that filled the stat sheet with averages of 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds (1.3 offensive), 4.9 assists and three stocks per game on 36% shooting from deep (102 attempts).

With the way he can impact the game in different ways, his skills and tools align with someone that’s worth furthering in the G League as a potential two-way, disruptive guard.

Top Stretch Big: Jake Stephens

Chattanooga I 6-foot-11.75 I 7-foot-9.5 wingspan

Although Stephens didn't shoot his best from beyond the arc (30%) and was unable to showcase his full arsenal of shotmaking and ball skills, his appeal as a stretch five with an effortless stroke on top of a ridiculous blend of size (270 pounds) and length still popped. Paired with his 38% career 3-point mark (624 attempts) including shooting 40% in back to back years, it’s difficult to debate his case.

Credit to Stephens for appearing leaner and it showed on the weak side block at the rim below, but there are still major concerns about his athleticism, especially his lateral quickness in space and pop at the rim. His stock is no doubt driven by his shooting, size and feel.

Most Explosive Athlete: Taevion Kinsey

Marshall I 6-foot-5.25 I 6-foot-10 wingspan

Kinsey wins this easy and while we’re at it, he’s absolutely the most likely to win an NBA dunk contest too. The long and wiry small wing is known for his quick twitch, explosive athleticism and pogo stick vertical pop, all of which he flashed as an above the rim finisher and more active defender.

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Despite not moving the needle on his 3-point shooting skill, 0-of-4 at the PIT with a care 30% 3-point mark (328 attempts), Marshall’s mix of NBA athleticism and ball skills as energy small swing remains appealing.

Most NBA Ready Body: Trey Jemison

UAB I 6-foot-10.75 I 7-foot-2 wingspan

Jemison can physically hold his own in an NBA game tomorrow.

He’s a physical marvel with a stout frame, broad shoulders and ripped upper body. Throughout the PIT, he leveraged his size, strength and physicality to control the paint and glass. His best game was saved for last, putting in a 20-point and 14-rebound effort. 

He doesn't back down from contact and will make his money as a bruising, energy big and play finisher that can block shots, giving him a clear NBA role.

Best NBA Move: Sir’Jabari Rice’s Shot Fake

Texas I 6-foot-4.5 I 6-foot-9 wingspan

How could the answer be anything else?

Rice’s shot fake was the most lethal move in college basketball and its Portsmouth tour wasn't any different. He routinely fooled defenders with it, opening up scoring opportunities for himself or space to make a play for others with his connective passing.

Due to his unique ability to utilize the shot fake in the same slot as his normal shot, plus his 37% 3-point mark, he’ll maintain his gravity-keeping defenses honest and effectively playing out of spot ups.

Rice, the tournament’s MVP, averaged 16.3 points per game and is slated for a 3-and-D type role because of his shooting, length, competitiveness and rotation player traits.

Quick Hitters

Javan Johnson: Long wing shooter and tough shot maker with defensive tools. Clear potential path to a NBA by filling a 3-and-D role

Jordan Walker: Didn't have his best stretch of games, but is a proven scorer and shot creator. Still valid concerns about his 5-foot-10 listing.

Kevin Obanor: Might not have been anyone else outside of Camara that helped himself the most. Undersized stretch big (6-foot-7) with multiple level touch.

Darius McGhee: Crafty scorer and shooter that thrived on and off the ball despite his 5-foot-10 measurement.

JT Shumate: Wing shooter with a supporting skill set, but defensive questions.

Justyn Mutts: Long and toolsy wing with ball skills, feel, energy and defensive disruption. If his 3-point shooting develops, there’s valuable role player potential here.

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Jam Hines
JAM HINES

Jam is a scout with nearly a decade of evaluation experience through his time with former NBA scouting and consulting services, EV Hoops and BPA Hoops. From the high school to NBA level, he brings a wealth of knowledge on prospects.

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